2002 dodge 1500 4.7 2wd

the power steering quit (suddenly) when at an idle, gets better as you rap the engine up, around 1200 or so is acceptable.

It still has fluid, looks clean, no air bubbles. About 6 months ago 4000 miles the o ring split on the pump (inside on the back) and i replaced it, worked great ever since. . . until today. it was ran until it started hitting air, but not completely dry.

so what do you think pump or rack or. . . . ?

thanks,
Brian

 

my guess would be the pump. does it sound like a super charger once you get your rpms up or make a whineing noise

 

well i replaced my power steering pump and it fixed the problem :-)

the rack&pinion might be leaking at the ends though, i hope it doesnt get bad enough i have to replace it :-(

thanks,
Brian

 

Unfortunately, it's not gonna get any better. Start saving up to replace it. The Lucas fluid is thicker and will slow or stop a small leak, but it is harder on the pump and over time will make your pump noisy from the added strain of pumping the thicker stuff.

 

its it possible that my power steering pump is noisy because i used regular atf instead of the atf +4 it calls for.

 

my PS does the same thing yours does but it only does it when it feels like it most of the time its fine at idle. i run the Lucas fluid because thats what i had on hand the last time the line at the bottom of the res came loose and leaked all my fluid out. as for noise sometimes its noisy sometimes its not. its wirerd tho because i never had a problem when the pump leaked and ran dry or afterwards the problem started when i took a trip up north and it was about -20 the ps wouldn't even work driving 70 down the road. ever since then its randomly not worked. BTW my rack or nothing in the whole system has a leak

 

Ive seen guys ruin brand new PS pumps due to not putting the right oil in them